Page 90 of His Duchess' Mischief

“Where have you been? You could have been eaten by a buzzard!” she scolded.

But her eyes were alight with happiness as she looked up at him.

“Thank you. I would not have found her without you.”

Seth stroked the cat gently, feeling her purring beneath his hand.

“Let us take her back to the house. I am sure we can persuade the cook to give her some warm cream to dissuade her from venturing out again.”

“Would that not make her think she is being rewarded for escaping?” Alicia asked.

“Youare keeping her in your room overnight from now on. She will not be permitted into the gardens alone again.”

CHAPTER 28

That evening, Seth had arranged for them to attend the opera.

Alicia got ready in her room, looking through the jewels gifted to her when she first came to the house.

Along with several stunning gowns, an array of sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and diamonds glittered in a box on her dressing table.

She had never possessed such things, and she was dismayed by how much she loved having such beauty to choose from.

Her fingers trembled as she handled each one, wondering which would most suit Seth’s tastes.

She wanted to push away the feeling and simply choose what she liked for herself, but it was futile.

Every day since the wedding, things had been changing between them. Not all the changes had been for the best, but each one had molded their relationship in a different way.

Their moment by the lake that afternoon was a significant shift and made nerves flutter in her gut whenever she thought of it.

Seth had opened up to her for the first time, confessing things she never would have expected.

Seeing the pain in his eyes as he had spoken about his friend had convinced her beyond doubt that he had not killed him.

She could not imagine going through such a thing. Her mind attempted to conjure images of Katie or Bridget lying before her in the moonlight as he had described, but the mere thought made her feel ill.

She glanced at Dove, who was playing with some ribbon on the bed.

Rose was under strict instructions to ensure that the kitten did not escape again, and Alicia was glad of it.

As much as I enjoyed spending time with Seth today, I do not wish to feel the fear of losing her a second time.

As Dove rolled on the bed, her back legs kicking frantically, Rose approached Alicia with the gown she had chosen for thenight. Her lips quirked up at the color—fawn, just as they had discussed.

Well, tonight, Seth will see if his statement was correct and I look well in it.

A little shiver of anticipation ran through her at the thought of being so close to him all evening.

Seth had the finest box at the King’s Theatre, right above the stage. Alicia had never experienced such a view, nor had she ever been seen by so many.

“Which necklace do you think?” she asked.

Rose raised her eyebrows as she always did when Alicia asked for her opinion, but she stepped forward nonetheless, contemplating the jewels and then the dress before pointing to the right.

“I think the pearls, Your Grace. They would look very well with this dress, along with the pearl drop earrings.”

Alicia grinned. “What time is it?” she asked.

---